Tag: Boras

  • Scott Boras defends process after Mets owner Steve Cohen calls Pete Alonso talks ‘exhausting’


    NEW YORK — Pete Alonso loomed over the New York Mets’ Amazin’ Day at Citi Field on Saturday without attending the event.

    Just before Mets owner Steve Cohen answered a question about where things stand with Alonso, a homegrown star and free agent first baseman, during a panel discussion, a spirited crowd began chanting, “Let’s Sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete!”

    Another chant then started, “Pete Al-on-so!”

    Cohen then quipped, “Hold that for the end, OK?”

    Cohen followed with a blunt assessment.

    “We made a significant offer to Pete,” Cohen said. “He’s entitled to explore his market. That’s what he is doing. Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough — this is worse.

    “A lot of it is, we made a significant offer … I don’t like the structures that are being presented back to us. It’s highly asymmetric against us. And I feel strongly about it. I will never say no. There’s always the possibility. But the reality is we’re moving forward. And as we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have. That’s where we are. And I am being brutally honest.

    “I don’t like the negotiations. I don’t like what’s been presented to us. Listen, maybe that changes. Certainly, I’ll always stay flexible. If it stays this way, I think we are going to have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with the existing players that we have.”

    The crowd applauded the answer.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Teams looking for free-agent bats find that their options are running low

    Generally, from a star player’s perspective, a short-term deal can be seen as a concession. Therefore, for three years, there might be a preference from the player’s side to have only player opt-outs and no deferred money. In Boras’ four shorter-term deals after the 2023 season, none included deferred money. On the other hand, from the team’s perspective, they may prefer more optionality on their side.

    “Pete’s free-agent contract structure request are identical to the standards and practices of other clubs who have signed similarly situated qualifying-offer/all-star level players,” agent Scott Boras said. “Nothing different. Just established fairness standards.”

    Last week, the Mets made a counteroffer of three years to Alonso and Boras. It was rejected.

    The Mets withdrew that specific offer after it was turned down, sources familiar with the matter said. However, it’s unknown if the Mets and Alonso have since re-engaged. So whether the door is open under similar or different parameters remains a question.

    The crowd at Amazin’ Day started chanting “We want Pete!” as soon as Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza took the stand for a panel hosted by SNY broadcaster Gary Cohen. When the broadcaster began asking a question about Alonso, he referred to it as “the elephant in the room.” Chants of “Pe-te” then continued.

    “We all love Pete and we’ve said that many times,” Stearns said, receiving cheers. “As we’ve gone through this process, we’ve continued to express that. And we also understand that this is a business and Pete, as a free agent, deserves the right and earned the privilege to see what’s out there.

    “We also feel really good about the young players who are coming through our system who have the ability to play at the major-league level.”

    That’s when fans met Stearns’ words with groans and boos.

    “We saw that last year. And that’s not always the most popular opinion,” Stearns continued. “We saw that last year and we will this year again.”

    Without Alonso on the roster, the Mets would most likely look internally for a solution at first base. Earlier this month, Mets officials told third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to start taking reps at first base with Alonso’s future and the position for the club uncertain.

    Vientos broke out as the Mets’ third baseman last year, supplanting Baty at the position. Scouts said Vientos improved defensively but still has plenty of room to grow. In the minor leagues, he also played first base.

    “I love playing third base, but right now my main focus is, ‘What can I do for us to get to the World Series and win a championship?’” Vientos said. “That’s what I want.”

    At Amazin’ Day, Baty sported a new jersey number — No. 7. He previously wore No. 22, meaning he needed a new number as soon as the Mets signed Juan Soto. Baty landed on No. 7 because he grew up rooting for José Reyes and Joe Mauer.

    Might a new position be next?

    Baty recalled Stearns telling him a couple of weeks ago, “We don’t know what’s going to happen,” and to start taking reps at first base. The next day, a first baseman’s glove arrived in the mail.

    Unlike Vientos, Baty is a neophyte at first base. He last played first base sparingly as a sophomore in high school. He’s so new at the position that he said he hadn’t even thought about holding runners on or taking throws from pitchers. He said working on his footwork around the bag is the most challenging part.

    Baty sees any chance at first base as an opportunity to enhance his versatility as he tries to win a job in spring training. Third base is Baty’s main position, but he played some second base last year in Triple A following a midseason demotion. In previous seasons in the minor leagues, he also played some left field.

    “It’s really fun, honestly,” Baty said. “I’ve always prided myself on being as athletic as I can be. And I think athleticism, you can show it off at any position whether it be first base, second base, third base, the outfield, whatever it is.”

    Mendoza stopped short of anointing anyone the first baseman. If Vientos slid over to first base, Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio, possibly among others, would comprise a competition for playing time at third base.

    “We got options,” Mendoza said when asked if Vientos was the team’s first baseman as things stand. “We also got some depth there. We signed Jared Young, who has experience. Joey Meneses is a non-roster invite who has big-league experience. So we got options there. Guys are going to get the opportunity. We will see what happens.”

    Meanwhile, Alonso lingers in free agency. Veteran and clubhouse leader Brandon Nimmo, also a Boras client, said he wasn’t too surprised that Alonso remains on the market because he expects his longtime teammate to take his time with the process until he saw figures to his liking.

    “I would love to see Pete back with us, but I also understand that I don’t make those decisions; that’s between Pete and our front office,” Nimmo said. “From what I understand, there have been a lot of talks between them. I’m still hopeful that we will sign him. But we’re really happy with what we’ve done this offseason. We’ve made our team a better team.”

    Star shortstop Francisco Lindor added, “He should make the best decision for himself, and not feel like he’s rushed into a decision. And I am sure he will. Pete is smart. And he’s going to get the input from his wife and his family and then make the best decision for himself. As he should. He deserves it.”

    In the meantime, less than three weeks remain until the Mets begin reporting to spring training.

    Required reading

    (Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)



    In a recent interview, Mets owner Steve Cohen expressed frustration with the lengthy negotiations between the team and All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, calling the talks “exhausting.” However, Alonso’s agent Scott Boras has come to the defense of the negotiation process, stating that it is all part of the business of baseball.

    Boras, known for his fierce advocacy for his clients, explained that negotiations can be complex and time-consuming, especially when it comes to securing the best possible deal for a player of Alonso’s caliber. He emphasized that both sides are working towards a common goal of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement and that the process should not be rushed.

    While Cohen may find the negotiations tiresome, Boras emphasized the importance of carefully considering all factors involved in the contract discussions to ensure that Alonso receives fair compensation for his talents and contributions to the team. Boras is confident that a deal will be reached that satisfies both parties and allows Alonso to continue to excel on the field.

    In the high-stakes world of professional sports negotiations, it is not uncommon for tensions to arise between owners and agents. However, Boras’s defense of the process serves as a reminder that these discussions are a crucial part of ensuring that players are fairly compensated for their skills and performance. Fans will have to wait and see how the negotiations between Alonso and the Mets ultimately play out, but one thing is certain: Scott Boras will continue to fight for his client’s best interests every step of the way.

    Tags:

    1. Scott Boras
    2. Mets owner
    3. Steve Cohen
    4. Pete Alonso
    5. MLB
    6. Baseball negotiations
    7. Player contracts
    8. Sports management
    9. Baseball agent
    10. Player representation

    #Scott #Boras #defends #process #Mets #owner #Steve #Cohen #calls #Pete #Alonso #talks #exhausting

  • Alex Bregman, Scott Boras are letting Red Sox lose a pointless game of chicken


    Two things appear to be true beyond a shadow of a doubt this offseason as it pertains to Alex Bregman. The first we’ve seen time and again is that Scott Boras has no problem waiting deep into the winter in order to get his client the deal he wants. Secondarily, though, the Boston Red Sox remain the most obvious landing spot for Bregman but want to try and play a game of chicken with the All-Star infielder.

    The writing has been on the wall for some time this offseason that there is some sort of divide in the Red Sox organization about the desire to sign Bregman, who would move to second base in Boston. Because of that, it’s then appeared that Craig Breslow is trying to wait out the Bregman market as he remains unsigned, though it remains unclear if he’s waiting out a lower AAV, fewer years, or both.

    Playing this waiting game, however, might be about to backfire on the Red Sox because Bregman and Boras both appear content to let them lose if they can get the deal they want elsewhere.

    For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders podcast, subscribe to The Moonshot, our weekly MLB newsletter, and join the discord to get the inside scoop during the MLB offseason.

    On the latest episode of the Section 10 Podcast, noted Red Sox “insider” or at least connected person in the media did not paint an optimistic picture for Boston in the Bregman sweepstakes. Not only did he say that he felt the team’s chances were currently at about 1% right now to sign him but also noted in a Twitter reply earlier in the day that there are more offers out there than might be reported, meaning the market is hotter than the public might realize.

    It’s important to note that Carrabis did mention that things can change and could do so quickly, as is always the case in MLB free agency. At the same time, however, what he alluded to needing to change is really the problem with the Red Sox current pursuit.

    Carrabis said that Boston’s front office and their offers have been akin to being “too cute” or trying to maneuever in a way that ultimately doesn’t give Bregman what he wants. That’s not what any fan wants to hear, especially when it comes to a player who so rightly feels like the missing piece for this lineup.

    That brings us back to Boras and Bregman, though. The agent, in particular, is not the right guy to try and get cute with. If there is indeed a better market for the third baseman than we think, then the game of chicken should be blown past and, if the Red Sox truly believe that Bregman can help this baseball team, then they should pony up at least a comparable offer to what he’s looking for, not something too cute and overly team-friendly.

    I still don’t believe that the offseason is Bregman-or-bust for Boston. This team is notably better than it was a year ago with the additions of Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman and so on. Furthermore, if they don’t sign Bregman, there could still be avenues to add a much-needed right-handed bat.

    But with how obvious the fit is, the Red Sox simply can’t lose out on Bregman if they want him because they’re trying to outsmart themselves. Boras won’t bite on that and that’s why he hasn’t yet. It’s the perfect matchon the board right now and Breslow would and should be left kicking himself if he loses a game of chicken that it’s seeming like there’s no way of winning at this point in the proceedings.



    Alex Bregman, star third baseman for the Houston Astros, and his agent Scott Boras are playing a dangerous game of chicken with the Boston Red Sox. Bregman, who is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, has reportedly turned down a contract extension offer from the Red Sox, leaving the team in a tough spot.

    While Bregman is undoubtedly one of the top players in the league, his refusal to negotiate with the Red Sox could ultimately hurt both parties. The Red Sox, who are in desperate need of a reliable third baseman, are now left scrambling to find a suitable replacement for Bregman. On the other hand, Bregman risks losing out on a potentially lucrative contract if he continues to play hardball with the team.

    It’s clear that both Bregman and Boras are trying to maximize their value in this situation, but at what cost? By refusing to negotiate with the Red Sox, they are not only hurting the team’s chances of success, but also potentially damaging Bregman’s reputation in the process.

    In the end, it seems that Bregman and Boras are letting the Red Sox lose a pointless game of chicken. Hopefully, both sides can come to a resolution before it’s too late.

    Tags:

    1. Alex Bregman
    2. Scott Boras
    3. Red Sox
    4. Game of chicken
    5. MLB
    6. Baseball
    7. Sports news
    8. Player negotiations
    9. Houston Astros
    10. Boston Red Sox

    #Alex #Bregman #Scott #Boras #letting #Red #Sox #lose #pointless #game #chicken